Gentleman Contesters & Scouts

The 52nd Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) will take place on October 17-18, 2009 but for reasons better known to themselves the German WAG contest has been arranged for the same weekend. What a way to introduce our youngsters to the joy of amateur radio with the battle of bad manners that is HF contesting. I remember the tale of one competitor operating SSB in or close to the CW section of Forty Metres who was told “If you where a gentleman you would move off the CW section” to which he replied “I’m not a gentleman, I am a contester!” which just about says it all.

I don’t know who is to blame for the clash as such but this time the contesters have taken the high ground and acted as both gentlemen and good radio amateurs by declaring contest free zones for the Scouts to use. No one can guarantee an interference free zone but at least they should be contest free.